荷兰选民不赞成欧盟-乌克兰贸易协议

In a non-binding referendum, Dutch voters have signaled that they do not approve of an EU trade deal with Ukraine.

With 99 percent of the votes counted after Wednesday's ballot, 61 percent of voters rejected the deal, while 38 percent approved it. The vote sends a clear signal to the Dutch parliament, which had been expected to ratify the deal.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said late Wednesday that the Dutch government will consult with parliament and with its European partners to decide what do to next. Rutte cautioned the process could take "days or weeks."

While the vote count is nearly complete, officials results are not due to be released until April 12.

After Wednesday's referendum, turnout among the Netherlands' 12.5 million voters was counted at 32.2 percent, with a margin of error of three percent. Thirty percent turnout was needed to validate the results of the referendum.